Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Week 15 Results and Continued Running at West Ridge

Here are the results from our August 13 run. And with that run, it's a wrap for the season. It's been our best-attended series, and one that I have thoroughly enjoyed. I hope that you found it rewarding as well. Over 200 different runners participated. Many of you made 12 or 13 runs out of the 15, and we had one runner with "perfect attendance" (congratulations, David Roe!).

Much thanks to the Boone family for the many times they brought food, and to the Connor family for their consistent help with race set up and finish line. RehabWorks was there nearly every week, offering assistance, advice, and water, and partnering with the shirt expense. It was much appreciated!

As most of you have heard mention, there is a smaller group of us that run on Tuesday evenings, year round. If Tuesday evenings are good for you, you are welcome to join us. It's very informal (imagine that) with little or no structure - just folks who like to run and enjoy the company of other runners - no matter what your skill level. Here are the details.

Meet at the West Ridge baseball fields in Opelika on Tuesday evenings between 5:45pm and 6:00pm. From the Southern Union campus, proceed east on West Point Parkway and proceed to the Civitan Club. At that point veer right on Ridge Road. Proceed to the end of Ridge Road, and watch for the baseball fields on your right. At the Merle Circle intersection, turn right into the baseball field parking lot, taking one of the first parking spaces you find. Look for my red pickup truck. Walk back toward Ridge Road until you hit the walking/running path that crosses the road. That's our running path. Now, here is the big trick. If nobody is around, we are probably already on the path. You can go right or left. So which way do you go? We have a system of putting rocks on top of the curb to show which way we went. If you see 3 rocks on top of one of the curbs at the path, 3 runners went that direction. You SHOULD go the other direction. That way we will run into each other pretty quickly, and you can join the group. It's 1.08 miles around the path. If you don't run opposite to the main group, we may never know you are there. It's hard to catch someone on a one mile loop when you are on opposite sides of the loop. So, rule of thumb, reverse directions from the rock markers if you want some running company. Or, hang around a few minutes and sooner or later the group will come by you there at the parking lot.

Additionally, you should know that different runners choose different distances, and different paces as well. It's very informal. Even so, you can almost always find someone that is running about your desired distance and pace. Incidentally, if you are not familiar with the path, it circles the baseball fields, has streetlights, and is great for strollers, and walking. There are normally other walkers or runners on the path, but it's never been crowded.

I made it sound complicated with the details, but it's not. Come on out and give it a try, starting next Tuesday 8/20, between 5:45 and 6pm. Hope to see you there! BTW, bring your own water/sports drink. There is not a water fountain there.

And, get in touch with me at durunforfun@yahoo.com with any questions you might have. See you soon!
Doug